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Coronavirus and Boating
Class One yachts racing on Dublin Bay in 2019
Ireland now has a roadmap to the easing of restrictions from Covid-19 but as Afloat has heard from sailing organisers there is still clarity needed as to how we can return to sailing. Copying what New Zealand is doing as…
A J109 Class One yacht passes DBSC's East Mark in 2019. A club survey revealed large support for racing on the Bay this season
There has been overwhelming support from a Dublin Bay Sailing Club (DBSC) survey to going racing this season despite the problems posed by COVID-19. The anonymous survey got a response from over half of DBSC's 1,200 members There showed 'huge…
Covid-19 Fundraising Scam in Name of Irish Sailing
It has come to the attention of Irish Sailing that an email is circulating, seeking funds to support Covid-19 front line workers and is purporting to be from Irish Sailing’s President. Please be advised this has NOT come from 'Irish…
Annalise Murphy after winning silver at Rio 2016
“In my head I was going, ‘If I give up here, they’re going to be saying that Annalise The Olympian has just quit’. So I couldn’t quit.” That’s how Annalise Murphy explains her motivation to keep up her fitness and…
An ISORA Race start off Dun Laoghaire Harbour in 2019
There's no doubt the Government publication of its five-level Covid-19 lifting restrictions was well received on Friday because it gave certainty and an idea about the future reopening of Ireland's economy and society. The roadmap will start from 18 May, from…
Bangor Marina on Belfast Lough
For those boat owners in Bangor Marina on Belfast Lough itching to have access to their boats and get afloat again, the latest communication from Dean & Reddyhoff and Quay Marinas will give some hope. They say that “we’re starting…
Yacht papers are required if you are selling your vessel
The current “in house” constraints presents an opportunity to check on your “Ships Papers” and follow up on any missing documents writes yacht broker Ronan Beirne of Leinster Boats At some future date perhaps in years to come you may…
RNLI and Coast Guard Search and Rescue services continue to be fully operational and on call 24/7
In advance of the May bank holiday weekend, the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) and RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) are renewing their call to the public not to take part in any water-based activity on or in the sea, while…
A previous Canal Boat Rally at Shannon Harbour
This year’s Shannon Harbour Canal Boat Rally, which had been scheduled for 19-21 June, has been postponed over the coronavirus pandemic. Ian Skelton, Hon Sec of the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland’s Shannon Harbour branch and who confirmed the news,…
Beneteau’s headquarters in Givrand, France
French boatbuilder Beneteau has restarted production at three of its sites as it announced half-year earnings that showed a 4.7% rise in consolidated revenues by the end of February. International Boat Industry reports that this was thanks to sustained business…
Crowds lining the quayside at 2018’s Kinsale Regatta
Retired Kinsale Harbour Master Capt Phil Devitt has confirmed that the 2020 Kinsale Regatta, which had been scheduled for the August Bank Holiday weekend, has been cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. “We look to 2021 when we set sail again,”…
Irish Sailing Submit 'Return to Sailing' Document to Government
Since the Covid-19 shutdown commenced, Irish Sailing has been communicating on behalf of our members with various government stakeholders to present a case for our sport to be viewed as a ‘low risk’ activity, so that we will be allowed…
Achill Island RNLI’s lifeboat Sam and Ada Moody
The past weekend’s good weather tempted a group of jet-skiers who subsequently ran into difficulty in Clew Bay, as The Irish Times reports. Achill Island RNLI launched its lifeboat on Saturday evening (25 April) to reports of three men on…
Yachts  moored at Bangor Marina on Belfast Lough
With the current COVID-19 pandemic forcing Northern Ireland into lockdown, the RYA has received a considerable number of enquiries from members who are not able to gain access to their boats now that most marinas have closed. The governing body…
Tokyo 2020 President Says Olympics ‘Will Be Scrapped’ If Coronavirus Threatens Further Delay
The president of Tokyo 2020 says the Olympic Games already postponed to next year “will be scrapped” if it cannot go ahead at its rescheduled date. As RTE News reports, Yoshiro Mori was responding to concerns that a vaccine for…
Canoeing could soon resume if Sport Ireland’s list of ‘low-risk’ sports get the nod from public health authorities
Outdoor activities that allow for physical distancing will be the first priority when relaxing restrictions on organised sports, the chief executive of Sport Ireland has said. Speaking at a press briefing with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar on Friday last (24 April),…

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Irish Sailing & Boating

Since restrictions began in March 2020, the Government is preparing for a 'controlled and gradual return to sport' and the 2020 sailing fixtures are being tentatively redrafted by yacht clubs, rowing clubs angling and diving clubs across Ireland as the country enters a new phase in dealing with the Coronavirus. The hope is that a COVID-19 restrictions might be eased by May 5th as Sport Ireland has asked national governing bodies for information on the challenges they face. 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) information

COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It's caused by a virus called coronavirus.

To help stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) everyone has been asked to stay at home. But some people may need to do more than this.

You may need to either:

You do these things to stop other people from getting coronavirus.

Read advice for people in at-risk groups

Read advice about cocooning.

Restricted movements

Everybody in Ireland has been asked to stay at home. You should only go out for a few reasons, such as shopping for food.

But you need to restrict your movements further if you: 

  • live with someone who has symptoms of coronavirus, but you feel well
  • are a close contact of a confirmed case of coronavirus
  • have returned to Ireland from another country

You need to restrict your movements for at least 14 days.

But if the person you live with has had a test and it is negative, you don't need to wait 14 days. You should still follow the advice for everyone - stay at home as much as possible.

Close contact

This is only a guide but close contact can mean:

  • spending more than 15 minutes of face-to-face contact within 2 metres of an infected person
  • living in the same house or shared accommodation as an infected person

How to restrict your movements 

Follow the advice for everybody - stay at home.